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Sensitivity

Radhanath Swami at MAAN-mandir

This happened in 2008, during our pilgrimage to Vrindavan. Around 3000 devotees from around the world were participating, and my service was handling the sound system. During these pilgrimages, we carry special mikes and mike stands for Radhanath Swami; the mike stands are flexible, lightweight, and easy to handle.

We were in Mana-mandir in Barsana. I fixed the mike stand on the floor, extended its handle towards Radhanath Swami, and connected the mike for him to speak.

The lecture went on nicely, and it was time for the kirtana. When Radhanath Swami started to sing and began pumping the harmonium, I noticed how the harmonium’s bellows were hitting the vertical bar of the mike stand. Because the kirtana was slow, the mike stand didn’t move much and it didn’t disturb Radhanath Swami. But when the kirtana picked up momentum and Radhanath Swami began pumping the harmonium vigorously, the bellows were hitting the stand strongly and Radhanath Swami seemed to express his discomfort.

I tried moving the mike stand a little backwards, but as a result the mike also moved away from Radhanath Swami, and so his amplified voice reduced in volume. I was thus in a dilemma: if I kept the stand close to the harmonium, the bellows would hit the stand; and if I moved it backward, the volume of the sound would drop.

I began to consider keeping the mike stand over the table. But I noticed that the table on which Radhanatha Swami was sitting was barely enough for him; there was hardly any space to fix the stand. I had no other option. I had to act quickly because the time available to move the stand from its current position was when the devotees responded in chorus, before Radhanath Swami sang the next mantra. I immediately loosened the handle, rotated the bars, picked up the stand, carefully inserted the base between their two legs, positioned the mike in front of Radhanath Swami’s mouth, and . . . oh Krishna . . . I couldn’t tighten it fully… Radhanath Swami began the next mantra! So I held the mike in one hand and the stand in the other and waited for the next opportunity, so I could set everything properly in its place. While I was busy fixing everything, Radhanath Swami had waved his hand, indicating that the mike stand should be kept in its original place. But I had failed to notice his gestures! Devotees began yelling at me from behind, “Keep it down! Keep it down! He doesn’t want it there!” I was bewildered. I decided to bring it down again. To make things worse, Radhanath Swami sang the next maha-mantra at twice the speed—two words in one beat. Thus my available time to reposition the mike stand reduced by half. Obviously I was late, and Radhanath Swami had to sing a few mantras without the mike until I was ready. And as before, as soon as I kept the mike stand on the floor, the harmonium bellows began hitting the vertical bar.

Radhanath Swami seemed to be getting furious, as he was unable to focus on the chanting. Finally, after a few minutes, he ended the kirtana. While chanting the prema-dhvani prayers, he angrily pushed the harmonium away, and I had to struggle hard to hold it along with the other equipments. He then walked out of the hall.

I understood that Radhanath Swami was unhappy because service to devotees was getting affected. Kirtana done with great absorption inspires everyone and resolves all differences among devotees. Because of my inefficiency, so many devotees were missing the real essence. I learned that I could not be careless while rendering such an important service. I had to make sure everything was right, foresee the possible problems, and be ready to act in emergency.

Radhanath Swami, at the same time, isn’t so particular when it comes to someone rendering him some personal service; he feels unworthy of receiving any service from anyone. Hence, he feels gratitude for any insignificant service rendered to him. One time when he was giving a class at a different spot, his handkerchief fell from the table. Since I was sitting close by, I immediately leaned forward, picked it up, and kept it back on the table. Radhanath Swami looked at me, smiled, and expressed deep gratitude.

–Murali Kaimal

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173 replies on “Radhanath Swami at MAAN-mandir”

As a sincere devotee we should make sure to serve nicely and should not care about the results.

Radhanath Swami is so particular about serving the devotees and make them absorb in Kirtan. At the same time Radhanath Swami is not interested in his personal services.

Swami ji is really concerned that every one gets best quality of spirtual experience during yatra.

Thanks for sharing this incident, though such incidents, where Guru Maharaj is unhappy with your service, are difficult to share with everyone….

Radhanath swami’s mood of always making all devotees happy and serving them is very inspiring

Thank you for sharing these moments with Radhanath Swami. You have analysed the situation very nicely.

Very instructive story. We learn how careful we r supposed to while rendering services especially to our spiritual master. Thank u prabhu for sharing ur experience with Radhanath Swami.

Thankyou for sharing this incident. Indeed Radhanath swami really extends himself when it comes to serving others. This is really inspiring and instructive.

Thank you for teaching us through this pastime, how careful we should be while serving our spiritual master.Radhanath Swami is hard like a thunderbolt when it comes to the Lord or His devotees’ service, but very soft and gentle like a rose when it comes to his own service.

This helps us understand that the service standards for the Lord and his devotees should never be compromised.

Its special to be able to serve Swamiji during such intense performances. Swamiji clearly communicates his priority in rendering the highest quality service to vaishnavas.

Radhanath Swamis mood while rendering Kirtan is full of absorption in service onto the Lord and his devotees. Which is so well reciprocated by the response from the assembled devotees, and it is blissful sight as they are carried into a trance.

Radhanath Swami Maharaj is always concerned for every one’s spiritual welfare which he nourishes by strong faith and purity

Simply amazed to see the Maharaj’s concern for everyone and his observation for a single minute details.

Radhanath Swami wants to give 100% whenever He is doing any thing. Radhanath Swami is so much absorbed during Kirtans that He wanted to give maximum beenfit to devotees.

I learned a good lesson , we have to be extra cautious even while doing regular routine job , while serving the spiritual master.

Very detailed description and it really built up the tension. And the points brought out are superexcellent – Radhanath Swami cares a great deal about services which are crucial in bringing God consciousness to the masses.

Radhanath Swami sees his act of singing also as service to all devotees. amazing incident..

A very nice lesson for all who render important services in temple and at places where preaching programs are conucted.Thank you for sharing detailed story.

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